Centrifugal separators



June 25, 1957 N. o. PECK CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATORS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 22, 1952 INVEN TOR.

June 25, 1957 N. o. PEcK CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATORS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 22, 1952 wi l.

INVEN TOR.

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATORS Norman 0. Peck, Tulsa, Okla, assignor of three-fourths to William H. Peck, Tulsa, (this.

Application December 22, 1952, Serial No. 327,287

20 Claims. (Cl. Mil-37d) The invention relates to centrifugal separators and more particularly to the type used for separating liquid from solid substances, for example, for drying sand, coal or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a centrifugal separator: which is adapted to remove the maximum amount of moisture from the solid substances. In preparing sand for foundry molds it is desirable to reduce the moisture content to the minimum, to avoid the necessity of further drying the sand by heat treatment.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a centrifugal separator: which comprises self-cleaning elements for separating liquids from solids; which comprises a basket for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and includes a series of rings vertically spaced apart and cross grooved if desired and endless belts with elastic surfaces for engaging and closing the spaces between the rings to permit the liquid or moisture to be discharged between the belts and the rings by centrifugal force for maximum separation of the liquid, the solid material beingv discharged from the basket after a predetermined period of circumferential travel under the influence of centrifugal force; in which the, liquids are discharged while' rangement of belts and rings which permit the belts to be readily tightened around the rings.

Another object of the invention is to provide 'a basket including rings and endless belts having elastic surfaces with improved means for pressing the belts against the rings during a predetermined portion of their circumferential travel, for controlling the discharge of the liquid constituent of the material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a centrifugal separator with improved lubrication.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, of a centrifugal separator exemplifying the invention, parts being shown in elevation and parts of the sand collecting drum and the water collecting trough being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a central vertical section of the basket, a portion of the carrier and the device for delivering material to be separated into the basket;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the separator, the drum atent O Fig. 5; and

for collecting the sand and the trough for collecting liquid from the separator being illustrated in section;

Fig. 5 is a detailed section of the rings on the rings on the carrier and the elastic belts engaging them;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1, illustrating a gear set for driving the basket from the drive shaft for the carrier at a different ratio from that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2; V

Fig. 10 is a similar view illustrating said gearing for driving the basket from the shaft for driving the carrier at another different ratio;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section illustrating the shaft of a gear set which is provided with a pair of gears;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section illustrating one of the idler shafts of a gear set;

Fig. 13 is an elevation of the gear set illustrated in a Fig. 9;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section of the gear case .and lower portion of the separator;

Fig. 15 is a vertical section illustrating a modified construction for the basket and the endless belts;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of one of the rings shown in Fig. 17 is a Fig. '15;

The invention is exemplified in a centrifugal separator which comprises a supporting structure, a rotatable carrier, and a coaxial separator unit or basket into which the material is delivered for separation and the separate discharge of liquid and solid constituents. i i

The separator is suitably supported for high speedoperation, for example, 1400 R. P. M. bya suitable struc turev such as a pair of I-beams 20. The separator includes a supporting bed or plate 22 supported on beams 29 and an upstanding tubular column 23 which may be plan view of one of the rings shown in welded to the bed 22. The upper end of column 23 is closed by a head 24 which is welded to the upper end of the column.

' a roller bearing 28 between head 24 and shaft27, and

a roller bearing 29 between shaft 27 and the bed 22. The

rotatable basket or separator unit, generally designated 30, is secured on and for rotation by a flange 31 at the upper end of a depending shaft 32 which extends through the tubular shaft 27. Shaft 32 is journalled in an upper ball bearing 33 between said shaft and the tubular shaft 27 and a lower ball-bearing 34 between shaft 32 and the tubular shaft 27. A pulley 36 is fixed to the tubular shaft 27 for driving said shaft by means of V-belts from a suitable source of power, usually an electric motor. The separator unit or basket 30 comprises a lower head or bottom 41 which is fixed by screws 42 on the top of flange 31, upstanding posts 43 which are fixedly secured by screws to the bottom 41, and an upper ring 44, which is fixedly secured by screws 45 on the upper ends of posts 43. The basket also includes a vertical series of circular rings 46 which are welded at 47 to the posts 43 and in curved recesses 48 in the posts. Rings 46 are spaced apart vertically to provide spaces for the discharge of separated solids therebetween, and are circular in cross- The rotatable carrier and basket are co-- axially and rotatably supported by, the head 24, column vertical spaces between contiguous rings 46 for confining the solid material to the basket and permitting liquid subjected to centrifugal force to escape between the belts and the rings. If desired, the rings may be provided with cross-grooves 46 between the rings and the bands, depending on the character of thematerial being separated. Each belt 49 and 50 includes a wire cable or flexible element 51 which forms a substantially nonstretchable core and an elastic covering 52 such as rubber, which surrounds the cable. The belts and the rings 46 may be round in cross-section as shown in Fig. 5. The elastic peripheral surface of each belt functions to closely fit the rings 46 at the contacting areas for retaining the solids in 'the basket while permitting the liquids separated from the solids to be forced between the contactingsurfaces of the rings and belts by centrifugal force. 'The frictional engagement between the e'lastic belts and the rings 46 is also utilized for operating the belts circumferential- 1y on the corner, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The carrier 25 which is mounted on and driven by the tubular shaft 27, comprises a bottom member 55 which is fixedly secured by screws 56to the flange 26 on tubular shaft 27, a top wall or member 57, and a downwardly divergent annular 'wall 58 secured to member 57. T The top and bottom members 57 and 55 of the carrier are vertically spaced apart in fixed relation by sleeves 60 and bolts 61 which are clamped against the top and bot-.

tom members 57 and 55 andsecure thesleeves 60 between said members. The looped endsof each series of belts 49, 50 pass around a pair of idler pulleys 64 which are journalled on ball bearings 65 around one of the sleeves 60. The belts fit annular grooves 67 in pulleys 64. Between each pair of pulleys 64 the inner reach of the belts extends arcuately around and is pressed into engagement with the rings 46. i The outer reaches of each series of belts between pulleys 64 extend around a pair of adjustable pulleys 68 whereby the belts of each series may be adjusted and tightened to press the arcuate inner reaches into close contact with the rings 46. Pulleys 68 are mounted on bearings 69 which are carried by the eccentric assemblies 70 composed of a tube closed at both ends by eccentric plugs. Eccentric sleeves of assemblies 70 are fixed to arms 71 which are pivoted in the top member of the carrier and pivotally adjustable for rotating the eccentric sleeves to tighten or loosen the belts. A screw 72 is adapted to lock the eccentric sleeves 70 in their adjusted positions. By means of these adjustable pulleys 68, the tension or pressure of the inner reaches of the endless belts against rings 46 may be controlled for maintaining contact between said belts and said rings for preventing the escape'of solid materials.

The-pulleys 64 around which the looped ends of the belts 49 are guided, and the pulleys 64 around which the looped ends of the belt 50 are guided, are spaced apart at diametrically opposite points for the discharge of solid material or sand from the basket through the spaces between the rings 46. Between the rollers 64 of the series of belts 49 and the rollers 64 of the belts 50, outlet trunks 7.4 are provided in the downwardly divergent surrounding wall 58 for'the discharge of solid material from the spaces between rings 46 and the gaps between the looped ends of the series of belts. Trunks 74 conduct sand or solid material discharged from the basket to the outside of the carrier and into a stationary drum, which includes a top Wall 77, an upwardly convergent section 75 and a depending cylindrical section 76 for delivering the sand to the outside of the separator. Trunks 74 also prevent the separated liquid, which is being collected inside the wall 58, from reentering the separated solid which is being discharged. An annular trough 80 is provided around the lower-end of the surrounding wall 58 of the carrier, into which the'liquid separated from the ma'terialin the basket will beidischarged and collected for delivery to an outlet pipe 81.

" In the operation of the separator, the material to be separated is. delivered into the basket at predetermined oppositely disposed points adjacent the pulleys 64 at one end of the oppositely disposed sets of belts and the liquid is discharged between the endless bolts 52 and rings 46 and the solid or heavier constituent is caused to travel circumferentially by the inner reaches of the belts and the rings 46 to one of the gaps between the series of belts. For this purpose, the material to be separated is delivered into a tubular inlet 82 which extends through the top member 57 of the carrier. From inlet 82 the material passes into a delivery chute 85 which is provided with oppositely directed branches 86. This chute 85 is rotatable with the carrier and the outer ends of branches 86 are adapted to deliver the material to predetermined points adjacent one end of the loops of each series of belts. The central portion of chute 85 under inlet 82 is provided with vanes 87 having openings 88 of gradually decreasing diameters for distributing the material entering the chute vertically in the branches 86 so that the material will be distributed vertically in the basket to the rings 46 and belts 49, 50.

The entire delivery means for the material including 7 the inlet 82, chute 85 and its branches 86, is rotatably supported on the shaft 32 of the basket by a bearing 90 which is slidable in a socket in the upperend of said shaft, 2. spring 91 which is applied to urge sleeve 90 upwardly for supporting a ball 92 on which the delivery chute is supported. A bushing 94 confined in a collar 95 engages ball 92 so that the chute 85 will be yieldiugly supported for smooth operation during the high speed rotation of the carrier and chute. A ring 96 is screw threaded around sleeve 95 and secures said sleeve on the lower member of chute 85. A cap 97 is secured by a screw thread to sleeve 95 for covering the upper end of sleeve 95 and bushing 94. V A ring 100 on the top of delivery chute 85 and around inlet 82 is connected for rotation with the carrier by a screw stud 101 which is threaded to the top member 57 of the carrier, and has its lower end 102 slidably connected to ring 100. A shear pin 103 which is slidable in ring 100 has its lower end extending through the top member of chute 85 for rotating the delivery chute and inlet 82 with the carrier. This construction renders the chute self-balancing on ball 92 for smooth high speed operation, compensates for any misalignment, and protects the mechanism from shock loads.

1 The. mechanism for driving the shaft 32 on the basket at a difierential speed relatively to the tubular shaft 27 and the carrier, which is driven by pulley 36, is enclosed in a gear case, generally designated 105, which is supported from the bed 22. The gear case 105 comprises a bottom 106 and an annular wall 107 welded to the bottom and provided with a flange 108, a top plate 109 which extends over flange 108 and a top plate 110 fitting over plate 109 and welded to an annular support 111 which is fixedly secured to the bed 22. A gear 113 is keyed to shaft 27, and fixedly secured by a screw collar 114 on the lower. end of tubular shaft 27. A tooth gear 115 is keyed and fixedly secured to the lower end of shaft 32 by a screw collar 116.0n said shaft.

The invention provides interchangeable spur gear sets for driving gear 115 on the basket from the driven tubular shaft 27 at difierent relative speeds for regulating the periods during which the material in the basket is subjected to centrifugal force between its delivery to the basket and its circumferential travel to one of the outlet gaps for the solid material. A diiferent spur gear set is provided for each ratio at which the basket is to be driven relatively to the carrier. The gear case is provided with means for demountably journalling the gear sets in different points in the gear case. A gear set for driving gear 115 on the hollow shaft 32 which rotates the filtering means from the gear 113 on hollow shaft 113, comprises: an upper idler gear 118 on a shaft 117 and meshing with gear 113, a gear 121 fixed to a shaft and meshing with upper idler gear 118, a second gear 122 fixed to shaft 120, a lower idler gear 123- on a shaft 124 and meshing with gear 122 and 115. Shafts 117, 120 and 124 are each journalled in lower and upper roller bearings 126 and 127 and are demountably carried in the gear case. Each bearing 126 and 127 is mounted in a head 128 which is removably secured by screws 129 to the bottom of the gear case 105. Each upper bearing 127 is held in a ring 130 which fits in a hole in the top of the gear case. The bottom of the gear case is provided with holes 131 for the placement of heads 128 in different positions in the gear case. The top and bottom walls of the gear case are provided with vertically aligned holes for supporting shafts 117, 120 and 124 in different positions around the axes of gears 113 and 115, for gear sets having different tooth ratios for driving the basket of the filter at different speeds relatively to the carrier and gear 113. For varying the speed of the basket relatively to the carrier, the idler shafts 117 and 124 and the shaft 120 are transposed to different holes in the gear case and gears 118, 121, 122, 123 and 115 with different tooth ratios are substituted. The holes from which heads 128 are removed and are closed by cap sections 132 and 133 which are clamped together by bolts 134. The different gear sets are adapted to drive the basket at a slightly lower speed than the carrier is driven, for varying the period during which the solids travel from the point of delivery into the point of discharge from the basket. Each of these gear sets is adapted to drive the basket at a slightly lower speed than the carrier for causing the rings 46 to operate the endless belts on and relatively to the carrier to convey the solid material circumferentially from its delivery point near one end of a set of endless belts to the discharge point at the gaps between the end loops of the belts.

As an example of suitable gear ratios for driving shaft 32 at 5.48 R. P. M. less than the shaft 27 which is driven at 1400 R. P. M., gear 113 is provided with 51 teeth, idler gear- 118 with 45 teeth, gear 121 with 48 teeth, gear 122 with 45 teeth, idler 123 with 45 teeth and gear-115 with 48 teeth. The shafts 117, 121 and 124 are then mounted in the gear case as shown in Fig. 2. This gearing retains the solids in the basket under centrifugal force 3.9537 seconds.

As an example of suitable gear ratios for driving shaft 32 at 9.10 R. P. M. less than shaft 27 which is driven at 1400 R. P. M., the gear 113 is provided with 51 teeth, idler 118 with 45 teeth, gear 121 with 56 teeth, gear 122 with 48 teeth, idler 123 with 44 teeth and gear 115 with 44 teeth. The shafts 117, 121 and 124 are then mounted in the gear case as shown in Fig. 9. The solids will be subjected to centrifugal force for 2.3809 seconds before discharge.

As an example of gear ratios for driving shaft 32 at 909 R. P. M. less than the shaft 27 which is driven at 1400 R. P. M., gear 113 is provided with 51 teeth, idler gear 118 with 45 teeth, gear 121 with 44 teeth, gear 122 with 42 teeth, idler 123 with 46 teeth and gear 115 with 49 teeth. The shafts 117, 121 and 124 are then mounted in the gear case in the positions shown in Fig. 10. The solids will be retained under centrifugal force of 2.3835 lbs. per square inch.

By these and other variations in the gear ratios the duration of periods during which the solids are subjected to centrifugal force, can be very accurately controlled to extract the highest possible percentage of liquid from the solid material in its passage through the separator.

The carrier and basket are driven at high speeds for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and require constant lubrication. The invention provides means for circulating oil under pressure and by gravity to all of the bearings requiring lubrication. A rotary pump 136 is mounted on the bottom of the gear case 105 and is driven by a pinion 137 which rotates with the shaft 32 and a gear 138 on the shaft of pump 136. The pump is connected to circulate oil from a suitable supply, such as a reservoir (not shown), through a pipe 141 in which an oil filter is usually included, to a nozzle 139 in the column 23. Nozzle 139 discharges 'a streamofjoil under pressure to the roller bearing 28 for the shaft 32. From bearing 28 some of the oil is forced upwardly through the bearing to a well 142 in the head 24. A pipe 143 conducts oil from well 142 to a tube 144 which is fixed to bed 22 and tube 144 conducts oil to roller bearing 29 for shaft 27. Oil from nozzle 139 also flows downwardly into an annular chamber 145 around'tube 144. A tube 146 conducts the overflow from chamber 145 to a chamber 146' in a plate 147 which is fixed to the under side of bed 22. Oil from bearing 29 also passes into chamber 145.

The top of the gear chamber is composed of a pair of plates 109 and which are fitted together and close the upper end of the gear case. A channel 152 is formed in the under face of plate 110 and communicates with the upper ends of all of the bearings 127 for the shafts of the gear sets when placed in different positions in the gear case. A pipe 153 conducts oil from chamber 146 to channel 152. As a result, filtered oil under pressure will be forced via pipe 141 to bearing 28 and will flow by gravity from chamber 142 via pipe 143 to the well in tube 144. Oil will flow from tube 144 through bearing 29 to chamber 146, via pipe 153 to the recess 152 in the under face of plate 110 and flow to all of the openings of bearings 127 for the upper ends of shafts 117, 120, and 124 in the gear case. Each ring for the upper end of a shaft of the gear sets is provided with a screen for retarding the flow of oil through said ring 130. A groove 154 in the upper face of plate 109 conducts oil from the recess 152 to the top of gear 113. The oil collected by the gear case is returned to the reservoirby gravity.

An impregnated wick 155 in the bearing 90 lubricates the ball 92 between bushing 94 and said bearing. A seal 156 is provided around the sleeve 95. A seal 157 is provided between the shaft 27 above bearing 28 and the head 24. A seal 158 is provided between plate 147 and a screw collar 159 on tubular shaft 27. A seal 160 is provided between a ring 161 and a sleeve 162 around shaft 27. Ring 161 is welded to the bottom of plate 110 and locates plate 109 on plate 110. Gaskets 163 are provided between plates 109 and 110 and between plates 109 and flange 108 for preventing the escape of oil between said plates and flange.

through ring 100 and a stud 101 between the top of the carrier and said ring and shear pin 103 between ring 100 and the top of trunk 85. The vanes 87 with holes 88 of diiferent diameters will distribute the incoming material vertically within the basket. The basket will be driven at a slightly lower speed than the carrier in a counterclockwise direction. The slightly lower speed of the basket in the same direction as the carrier and its rings 46 will cause said rings, which frictionally engage the inner arcuate reaches of the series of belts 49 and 50 to circumferentially operate said belts on and relatively to the carrier. The material will be delivered by branches or spouts 86 of the trunk 85 against the inner periphery of rings 46 and the portions of the belts between said rings, adjacent the pulley at one end of the loops of each series of the belts.

Centrifugal force to which the material is subjected in the basket will force the moisture in the material to pass between the elastic surfaces of the belts and the rings from the time the material is delivered into the basket until the inner reaches of the belts 'carry thesolids to one.- of the gaps between the end loops-of the series of belts'fordischarge through chute 74.

By variations inthe gear sets the duration of the period in which the material is subjected to centrifugal force from its delivery'into the basket to its discharge may be accurately controlled.

In this operation the slower rotation'ofthe' basketicauses the rings 46 thereon, by reason oftheirfrictionalengagement with a series of:.endless'belts on the carrier, to operate-and. control the-circumferential movement of said belts around-the carrier.

The solid material from which the moisture has been expelled will be discharged 1through-the gaps between the looped l1dS Qf lh8iSBIi6$Of belts 'into the outl'etzduct 74 and projected by centrifugal-force.against the downwardly divergent vwall.58;of theicarrier and discharged into the trough 80. By selecting the clem'ountable gear sets in the gear case for: driving :the basket at different ratios, the period during which thematerial remains in the basket and 'is subjected to centrifugal force for extraction of the moisture while it travels between the point of delivery circumferentially' to the gap,.may be varied to extract the maximum degree of moisture from the material.

A modification of the-filtering elements is illustrated in Figs. Hand 17 in-whichthe basket comprises a series of rings 170 are vertically spaced apart .to provide spaces between by posts171. These rings haveouter peripheries 172 which are V-shapedincross section and inner. peripheries 17-3 which are outwardly divergent to the outer peripheries 172. Each belt 174 comprises an inner core 175 of Wire cable and a surrounding cover 176 of rubber which is rectangular in crbss section with two of its faces engaging the angular-faces'of the peripheries 172 of contiguous rings 17! 'If de'sired, fine grooves 173 may be formed in the V-shaped'peripheries 172 for the escape of liquid between the belts and the rings. In this construction, the contacting areas of the rings and belts are flat and extended for effectively retaining the solids in the basket until they reach the discharge gaps.

A characteristic of the filtering or separating means is that it is non-clogging or self cleaning. The sand is delivered for a cycle of treatment to portions of the rings 50 which have passed a discharge gap and the portions of the inner peripheries of "a series of belts adjacent a pulley 64 wherethe'belts 'or rings are clean because any residual solids on the belts and rings are discharged by centrifugal'force through the gaps between the ends of the belts. As a result, the beltsor rings will be clean at the points where the sand is'delivered to the separator elements. During the continuation of the cycle, the liquid will escape through-the-grooves but some solid particles may clog or obstruct the discharge of liquid through the grooves 46' or between the rings and the belts. Any such solid particles, when rings of the basket and the belts reach the gap'at the discharge end of the belts, will be dislodged by centrifugal force and discharged through the space betweenthe rings into one of the discharge chutes 74. This insures the removal of the clogging solids from the basket and the belts before it reaches the delivery point at the beginning of the next cycle on the opposite series of belts. This self-cleaning or non-clogging feature avoid interruption in operation for cleaning and for keeping the separating elements in operative condition. ,Another characterstic of this construction is that there is no relative movement of therings and the inner surfaces of belts 50 which engage rings 46 ofythe basket duringthe separation of the constituents, and this minimizes wear on the rings and the belts.

The utilization of the rings and belts with elastic pe- 'ripheral surfaces'for controlling the escape of the liquid content 'of' the material'results in the greatest extraction ofmo'isture in .the'highest degree possible by centrifugal separation. When sandis treated for-molding, sufiicient moisture can beextracted to render-unnecessary heating thereofto render the sand foruse.

- The. trunk for delivering material and distributing maa terial into the basket is yieldingly supported by the basket and rotatedsmoothly with the carrier.

By adjustment of thebelt pulleys 68, the belts may be tightened so that their inner reaches whichengage the rings will exert the desired degree of pressure against the rings foreltective separationof the liquid and its discharge between the. belts and the rings.

Another characteristic of the invention is thatthe separator is balanced vin its operation without special counterbalancing devices.

By changing the gear 'setsfor driving the basket at different ratios from the carrier, the duration of the periodsduring which the material is subjected to centrifugal force before the solids are discharged, canbe accurately controlled.

The parts operatedathigh speed are efficiently lubricated.

This application is a continuation-in-part of the application filed by me September 7, 1950, Serial No. 183,350, and now abandoned.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since-these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described rny'invention what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and including a series. of rings separated vertically to provide spaces between-them; means for delivering material for separation at a predetermined circumferential portion of the carrier; a series-of endless belts impervious to liquids mounted for bodily rotation with the carrier and circumferential operation on the carrier with said rings and, for spanning the spaces between the rings,-said belts having elastic peripheral surfaces engaging'portions of contiguous rings, for holding solids in the basket and between which liquid under centrifugal force can pass, having loops which provide a gap for the discharge of solids through the spaces between the rings, and mechanism for driving the basket and the carrier for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and rotating them at differential speeds, and whereby the rings will operate the belts circumferentially on the carrier for delivering the solid material held in the basket to the discharge gap.

2. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and including a series of rings separated vertically to provide spaces between them; means for delivering material-for separation at a predetermined circumferential portion of the carrier, a series of endless belts impervious to liquids mounted for bodily rotation with the carrier and circumferential operation on the carrier with said rings and, for spanning the spaces between the rings, and belts having elastic peripheral surfaces around the outer side of the rings, engaging portions of contiguous rings, for holding solids in the basket and between which liquid under centrifugal force can pass, having loops which provide a gap for the discharge of solids through the spaces between the rings, and mechanism for driving the basket and the carrier'for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and rotating them at differential speeds and whereby the rings will operate the belts circumferentially on the carrier for delivering the solid material held in the basket to the discharge gap.

3. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a-vertical axis; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relativelyto the carrier and including a-series of rings separated vertically to}provide peripheral spaces between them; means for delivering material for separation at predetermined circumferential portion of the carrier, a series of looped endless belts impervious to liquids mounted for bodily rotation with the carrier and circumferential operation on the carrier with said rings and for spanning the spaces between the rings, and belts having cores with elastic peripheral surfaces engaging portions of contiguous rings, for holding solids in the basket and between which liquid under centrifugal force can pass, having loops which provide a gap for the discharge of solids through the spaces between the rings, and mechanism for driving the basket and carrier for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and rotating them at differential speeds and whereby the rings will operate the belts circumferentially on the carrier for delivering the solid material held in the basket to the discharge gap.

4. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and including a series of rings separated vertically to provide peripheral spaces between them; means for delivering material for separation at predetermined diametrically opposite portions of the carrier; a pair of series of looped endless belts impervious to liquids around the outer side of the rings, mounted for bodily rotation with the carrier and circumferential operation on the carrier with said rings and, for spanning the spaces between the rings, and belts having elastic peripheral surfaces engaging surfaces on contiguous rings for holding solids in the basket and between which liquid under centrifugal force can pass, having loops which provide oppositely disposed gaps for the discharge of solids through the spaces between the rings, and mechanism for driving the basket and carrier for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and rotating them at differential speeds and whereby the rings will operate the belts circumferentially on the carrier for delivering the material held in the basket to the discharge gap.

5. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and including a series of rings separated vertically to provide peripheral spaces between them; means for delivering the material for separation at predetermined diametrically opposite portions of the carrier; and a pair of series of looped endless belts impervious to liquids mounted for bodily rotation with the carrier and circumferential operation on the carrier with said rings and, for spanning the spaces between the rings, said belts having elastic peripheral surfaces engaging surfaces on contiguous rings for holding solids in the basket and between which liquid under centrifugal force can pass, having loops which provide oppositely disposed gaps for the discharge of solids through the spaces between the rings; and mechanism for driving the basket and carrier for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and rotating them at differential speeds and whereby the rings will operate the belts circumferentially on the carrier for delivering the material held in the basket to the discharge gap.

6. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier, and including a series of rings separated vertically to provide peripheral spaces between them and substantially round in cross-section; means for delivering material for separation at a predetermined circumferential portion of the carrier; a series of looped endless belts impervious to liquids, substantially round in cross-section, mounted for bodily rotation with the carrier and circumferential operation on the carrier with said rings and for closing the spaces between the rings, said belts having elastic peripheral surfaces engaging portions of contiguous rings, for holding solids in the basket and between which liquid under centrifugal force can pass, having loops which provide a gap for the discharge of solids through the spaces between the rings; and mechanism for driving the drum and carrier for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and rotating them at differential speeds, and whereby the rings will operate the belts circumferentially on the carrier for delivering the material held in the basket to the discharge gap.

7. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and including a series of substantially circular rings separated vertically to provide peripheral spaces between them; means for delivering material for separation at a predetermined circumferential portion of the carrier; a series of looped endless belts impervious to liquids mounted for circumferential operation on the carrier, for spanning the spaces between the rings, having elasticperipheral surfaces, having arcuate portions engaging portions of contiguous rings for holding solids in the basket and between which liquid under centrifugal force can escape, having ends which provide a discharge gap for solids through the spaces between the rings; means on the carrier for tightening the belts to press their arcuate portions against the rings; and mechanism for driving the carrier and the basket for subjecting the material to centrifugal .force and rotating them at differential speeds and operating the belts circumferentially on the carrier for delivering the solid material to the discharge gap.

8. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and including a series of substantially circular rings separated vertically to provide peripheral spaces between them; means for delivering material for separation at a predetermined circumferential portion of the carrier; a series of arcuately .looped endless belts impervious to liquids mounted for circumferential operation on the carrier for spanning the spaces between the rings, having elastic peripheral surfaces, having arcuate portions engaging portions of contiguous rings for holding solids in the basketand between which liquid under centrifugal force can escape, having ends which provide a discharge gap for solids through the spaces between the rings; rollers on the carrier for guiding the arcuate inner reaches of the belts against the outer side of the rings; rollers adjustably mounted on the carrier for guiding the outer portions of the belts in angular reaches and tightening the inner reaches of the belts against the rings; and mechanism for driving the carrier and the basket for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and rotating them at differential speeds and operating the belts circumferentially on the carrier and delivering the solid material in the basket to the discharge gap.

9. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier, including a series of rings and spaced vertically to provide peripheral openings; a series of looped endless belts impervious to liquids mounted for bodily rotation with and movable relatively to the carrier, having elastic peripheral surfaces engaging and partially lapping portions of contiguous rings for closing said openings to confine solids in the basket and permit the escape of liquid under centrifugal force between the lapped portions of the belts and rings; means for delivering material for separation into the basket at a predetermined circumferential portion of the belts, the belts having looped ends which are spaced apart to produce a circumferential gap to open a portion of the spaces between the rings for the discharge of solids; said belts being circumferentially operable by relative movement of the carrier and the basket for discharging the solids; and mechanism for continuously rotating the carrier and the basket at constantly predetermined relative speeds for carrying the solid material from the delivery point to the discharge point.

10. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and including a series of substantially circular rings separated vertically to provide peripheral spaces between them; means for delivering material for separation at predetermined circumferential portions of the carrier; a pair of series of archately looped endless belts impervious to liquids mounted for circumferential operation on the carrier for spanning the spaces between the rings, having elastic peripheral surfaces, having arcuate portions engaging portions of contiguous rings for holding solids in the basket and between which liquid under centrifugal force can escape, having ends which provide discharge gaps for solids through the spaces between the rings and between the looped ends of the series of belts; rollers on the carrier for guiding the inner reaches of the belts against the outer side of the rings; rollers adjustably mounted on the carrier for guiding the outer portions of the belts in angular reaches and tightening the inner reaches of the belts against the rings; and mechanism for driving the carrier and the basket for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and rotating them at differential speeds and operating the belts circumferentially on the carrier and delivering the solid material in the basket to the discharge gap.

11. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis and including top and bottom members; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and including top and bottom members and provided with means for separating liquids from solids by centrifugal force and separately discharging the constituents; a hollow depending shaft on the carrier; a depending shaft on the basket extending through the hollow shaft on the carrier; means for delivering material through the top member of the carrier into the basket at a predetermined circumferential portion of the carrier for separation; means between the upper member of the carrier and the delivery means for rotating the delivery means with the carrier; a springpressed bearing between the bottom of the basket and the bottom of the delivery means for vertically supporting the delivery means in the basket; and mechanism for driving said shafts for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and rotating the carrier and the delivery means at a differential speed and relatively to the basket for conveying the solid material to the discharge means.

12. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis and including top and bottom members; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and including top and bottom members and provided with means for separating liquids from solids by centrifugal force and separately discharging the constituents; a hollow depending shaft on the carrier; a depending shaft on the basket extending through the hollow shaft on the carrier; means for delivering material through the top member of the carrier into the basket at a predetermined circumferential portion of the carrier for separation; means between the upper member of the carrier and delivery means for rotating the delivery means with the carrier; a spring-pressed ball bearing between the bottom of the basket and the bottom of the delivery means for vertically supporting the delivery means in the basket; and mechanism for driving said shafts for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and rotating the carrier and delivery means at a differential speed relatively to the basket for conveying the solid material circumferentially to the discharge means.

13. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a verticalaxis and including top and bottom members; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and including top and bottom members and provided with means for separating liquids from solids by centrifugal force and separately discharging the constituents; a hollow depending shaft on the carrier; a depending shaft on the basket extending through the hollow shaft on the carrier; means for delivering material through the top member of the carrier into the basket at a predetermined circumferential portion of the carrier for separation; means including a ring slidably connected to the carrier and delivery means for rotating said means with the carrier; at spring-pressed ball bearing between the bottom of the basket and the bottom of the delivery means for vertically supporting the delivery means in the basket; and mechanism for driving said shafts for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and rotating the carrier and delivery means at a differential speed relatively to the basket for conveying solid material circumferentially to the discharge means.

14. The combination with a centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis and provided with a tubular depending shaft having a drive pulley secured thereon; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and provided with a depending shaft extending through the tubular shaft and including a series of rings provided with spaces between them; a series of endless belts mounted for circumferential operation with the carrier for closing the spaces between the rings having peripheral surfaces engaging portions of contiguous rings and holding solids in the basket and between which liquid under centrifugal force can pass; having loops which provide a gap for the discharge of solids from the basket; and means for delivering material for separation at a predetermined circumeferential portion of the carrier; of a gear case; spur gears in the case and on the shafts, respectively; and a spur gear set in the gear case for driving the gear on the shaft on the basket from the gear on the tubular shaft at different speeds and means for demountably and interchangeably journalling different spur gear sets in the gear case for driving the shafts at different speed ratios. 15. The combination with a centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis and provided with a tubular depending shaft having a drive pulley secured thereon; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and provided with a depending shaft extending through the tubular shaft and including a series of rings provided with spaces between them; a series of endless belts mounted for circumferential operation of the carrier for closing the spaces between the rings having peripheral surfaces engaging portions of contiguous rings and holding solids in the basket and between which liquid under centrifugal force can pass; having loops which provide a gap for the discharge of solids from the basket; and means for delivering material for separation at a predetermined circumferential portion of the carrier; of a gear case including a top and bottom; spur gears in the case and on the lower ends of the shafts, respectively; and a gear set including a vertical shaft provided a spur gear meshing with the gear on the tubular shaft, a second vertical shaft provided with a gear meshing with the gear on the carrier shaft, and an intermediate vertical shaft provided with a pair of gears meshing with the gears on two vertical shafts, respectively, for driving the shaft on the basket from the tubular shaft at different relative speeds.

16. The combination with a centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis and provided with a tubular depending shaft having a drive pulley secured thereon; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and provided with 8. depending shaft extending through the tubular shaft and including a series of rings provided with space between them; a series of endless belts mounted for circumferential operation of the carrier for closing the spaces between the rings having peripheral surfaces engaging portions of contiguous rings and holding solids in the basket andbetween which liquid under centrifugal force can pass; having loops whichprovide a gap for the discharge of solids from the basket; and means for delivering material for separation at a predetermined circumferential portion of the carrier; of a gear case including a top and bottom; spur gears in the case and on the lower ends of the shafts, respectively; and a gear set in the gear case including a vertical shaft provided with a gear meshing with the gear on the tubular shaft, 9. second vertical shaft provided with a gear meshing with the gear on the carrier shaft, and an intermediate vertical shaft having gears meshing with the gears on the other vertical shafts, respectively, for driving the shaft on the basket at different speeds and means for demountably and interchangeably journalling gear sets in the gear case for driving the shafts at different speed ratios.

17. The combination with a centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis and provided with a tubular depending shaft; a supporting structure; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and provided with a depending shaft extending through the tubular shaft and means for discharging liquids and separtely discharging solids controlled by the relative rotation of the basket and the carrier; spur gears on the lower ends of the shafts, respectively; gearing including a series of shafts journalled in the gear case provided with gears for driving the gear on the shaft on the basket from the gear on the tubular shaft, and a gear case enclosing said gears and gearing, and upper and lower bearings between the structure and the hollow shaft; of lubricating means comprising a pump driven by the carrier shaft; a nozzle communicatively connected with the pump, for forcing oil to the upper shaft bearing, means for conducting oil which passes through the upper shaft bearing to the lower shaft hearing; a chamber in the supporting structure for catching oil dropping from the upper bearing, and means for conducting oil from said chamber to the bearings for the vertical shafts in the gear case.

18. The combination with a centrifugal separator comprising: a canier rotatable on a vertical axis and provided with a tubular depending shaft; a supporting structure; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and provided with a depending shaft extending through the tubular shaft and means for discharging liquids and separtely discharging solids controlled by the relative rotation of the basket and the carrier; spur gears on the lower ends of the shafts, respectively; gearing including a series of shafts journalled in the gear case provided with gears for driving the gear on the shaft on the basket from the gear on the tubular shaft, and a gear case enclosing said gears and gearing and provided with a top composed of superposed plates, and upper and lower bearings between the structure and the hollow shaft; of lubricating means comprising a pump driven by the carrier shaft; a nozzle communicatively connected with the pump for forcing oil to the upper shaft bearing, means for conducting oil which passes through the upper shaft bearing to the lower shaft bearing; a chamber in the supporting structure for catching oil dropping from the upper bearing, and means for conducting oil from said chamber to the bearings for the vertical shafts in the gear case, including a duct between the top-plates of the casing.

19. The combination with a centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis and provided with a tubular depending shaft; a supporting structure; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier and provided with a depending shaft extending through the tubular shaft and means for discharging liquids and separtely discharging solids controlled by the relative rotation of the basket and the carrier; spur gears on the lower ends of the shafts, respectively; gearing including a series of shafts journalled in the gear case provided with gears for driving the gear on the shaft on the basket from the gear on the tubular shaft, and a gear case enclosing said gears and gearing, upper and lower bearings between the structure and the hollow shaft; of lubricating means comprising a pump driven by the carrier shaft; a nozzle communicatively connected with the pump for forcing oil to the upper shaft bearing, an annular wall in the supporting structure defining a passage for oil from the upper bearing to the lower bearing, and a surrounding well; means for conducting oil passing through the upper bearing to the well, and means for conducting oil from said well and the lower bearing to the bearings for vertical shafts of the gear set and the gears on the shafts.

20. A centrifugal separator comprising: a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis; a basket in and rotatable concentrically with and relatively to the carrier, and including a series of rings separated vertically to provide peripheral spaces between them and inner peripheries substantially V-shaped in cross-section; means for delivering material for separation at a predetermined circumferential portion of the carrier; a series of looped endless belts impervious to liquids, having inner peripheries substantially V-shaped in cross-section, mounted for bodily rotation with the carrier and circumferential operation on the carrier with said rings and for closing the spaces between the rings, said belts having elastic periph eral surfaces engaging portions of contiguous rings, for holding solids in the basket and between which liquid under centrifugal force can pass, having loops which provide a gap for the discharge of solids through the spaces between the rings; and mechanism for driving the drum and carrier for subjecting the material to centrifugal force and rotating them at differential speeds, and whereby the rings will operate the belts circumferentially on the carrier for delivering the material held in the basket to the discharge gap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 926,596 Patterson June 29, 1909 1,280,469 Hiller Oct. 1, 1918 1,899,005 Barker Feb. 28, 1933 2,095,303 Wright Oct. 12, 1937 2,542,257 Morgan et a1 Feb. 20, 1 951 2,551,980 Tholl May 8, 1951 2,619,230 Hoyt Nov. 25, 1952 2,641,918 Smith June 16, 1953 2,645,110 Dayton July 14, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 6,429 Gerat Britain of 1894 14,031 Great Britain of 1892 515,463 Germany Dec. 18, 1930 

